Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischaemic Stroke

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Safety and tolerability of clopidogrel when added to aspirin and dipyridamole in high risk patients with recent ischaemic stroke: a randomised controlled trial

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Nottingham

• Eudract number

  2007-006749-42

• ISRCTN Number

  47823388

• Research summary

  The risk of recurrent stroke is highest immediately after a stroke or mini-stroke, and may be reduced, but not abolished, with blood-thinning drugs (antiplatelet drugs). We know that taking two drugs is more effective than one and, therefore, taking three could be better than two. Recently, we published that it is feasible to give three drugs (clopidogrel, aspirin and dipyridamole) after a stroke in a randomised controlled trial. The TARDIS randomised trial will assess the effectiveness and safety of three versus two drugs (taken for 1 month) in patients with acute stroke/mini-stroke.The major risk of taking an extra antiplatelet drug is one of causing extra bleeding, such as bruising on the skin, losing blood into the gut, or bleeding into the brain.We hypothesise that the potential benefit (reduced chance of having another stroke) will outweigh the risk of bleeding. 350 patients will be recruited from UK Stroke Research Network centres in the first phase (3 years) which will expand into a larger main international trial of up to 5000 patients over the following 5 years

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  08/H1102/112

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Jan 2009

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion